Description

HEINRICH REHKEMPER (SCHWERTE, 23 MAY, 1894 – MUNICH, 30 DECEMBER, 1949)

 

 

 

 

He initially trained as a mechanical engineer before studying at the conservatories of Hagen (Westphalia) and Düsseldorf, and later at the Munich Academy of Music. He made his stage debut in 1919 at the Coburg State Theatre. From 1921 to 1924, he was engaged at the Stuttgart State Opera, and from 1925 onward at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. In Munich, he became one of the most popular singers of his time.

His major operatic roles included Don Giovanni, the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Wolfram in Tannhäuser, and Amfortas in Parsifal. He also performed many other, very diverse roles. On November 12, 1931, he appeared in the world premiere of Hans Pfitzner’s opera Das Herz at the Munich Opera. From 1924 onward, he also appeared frequently as a concert singer and was regarded as one of the most important interpreters of art song of his generation. His mastery as a lieder performer was admired both in Germany and abroad.

On December 27, 1933, he took part in the world premiere of Eduard Künnecke’s operetta Die lockende Flamme at the Theater des Westens in Berlin. From 1940 to 1945, in addition to his singing career, he also taught at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. His warm, expressive baritone voice was highly valued on stage—especially in Mozart roles, but also in the Italian and Wagnerian repertoire. Nevertheless, he was primarily known as a lieder singer. His recordings were issued on Polydor, and his 1928 recording of Gustav Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder was reissued on Pearl in 1992.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Die Nebensonnen (Schubert) 90019 (B2214) 1483bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Die Post (Schubert) 90018 (B2213) 1482bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Horch auf den Klang der Zither (80) 62402 (B2070) 1954ar Polydor, Berlin 1922 (autumn)

Dragons de Villars (Maillart) Soldatenart (Abt) 95350 (B22469) 877Bi Polydor, Berlin 1929

Eifersucht und Stoltz (Schubert) 90021 (B2218) 1495bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Elias (Mendelssohn) Es ist genug! 66713 (B22389) 876bm Polydor, Berlin 1928

Erlkönig (Schubert) 66006 (B22221) 1058av Polydor, Berlin 1924

Frühlingstraum (Schubert) 66536 (B22338) 1306av Polydor, Berlin 19251926

Gute Nacht (Schubert) 66537 (B22341) 1054av Polydor, Berlin 1924

Im Kahne (Grieg) 23150 (B43139) 1687BH I Polydor, Berlin 1929

Kindertotenlieder (Mahler) In diesem Wetter, in diesem Braus, pt 1, pt 2 66695 (B22379), 66695 (B22380), 700bm, 701bm Polydor, Berlin 19271928

Kindertotenlieder (Mahler) Nun seh’ ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen 66693 (B22376) 697bm Polydor, Berlin 19271928

Kindertotenlieder (Mahler) Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgehn 66693 (B22375) 696bm

Kindertotenlieder (Mahler) Oft denk’ ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen! 66694 (B22378) 699bm Polydor, Berlin 19271928

Kindertotenlieder (Mahler) Wenn dein Mütterlein tritt zur Tür herein 66694 (B22377) 698bm Polydor, Berlin 19271928

Mein! (Schubert) 90020 (B2216) 1494bk Polydor, Berlin 1928

Meine Rose (Schumann) 66007 (B22223) 1055av Polydor, Berlin 1924

Mentre ti lascio o figlia, pt 1, pt 2 (Mozart) 66003 (J22032), 66003 (J22033), 1729as, 1730as Polydor, Berlin 1924

Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen (Brahms) 23148 (B43134) 1689BH I Polydor, Berlin 1929

Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Dort vergieß leises Fleh’n 90149 (B2295) 1691½bh Polydor, Berlin 1929